Apparatus for constructing sewers



(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

u H. P. MGDONALAD. l A APPARATUS POR GONSTRUCTING -SEWBRS, SUBWAYS,CONDUITS, &c.

Patented Dc. 10, 1895 w/rNEssES.-

I4 TTOHNE YS.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

H. P. MCDONALD: APPARATUS PoR GONSTRUGTING SBWERS, sUBWAYs, GONDUITS,5w.

- No. 551,042. hmm-,551355. 1o, 1895.

Arron/vm.

ANDREW BJFHPMM,PHUfO-LIITIQWASHINGTDNJL y NITED STATES PATENT 4Fries.

HARRY r. McDoNALD, or LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING SEWERS, SUBWAYS, CONDUITS, &c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 551,042, dated December10, 1895. Application filed January 30,1395.` Serial No. 536,705. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, HARRY?. MCDON ALD, residing at Louisville, in thecounty ofJ efferson and State of Kentucky, have invented a new andImproved Apparatus for Constructing Sewers, Subways, Conduits, dac., ofwhich the following is a speciiication.

' My invention primarily has for its object to provide an improved meanswhereby sewers, subways, underground pipes, dac., can be economically,quickly, and effectively constructed.

It has also for its object to provide a mechanism adapted tosimultaneously dig the trench or tunnel, temporarily sheath the same asit is being cut, and apply apermanent cement lining thereto.

Furthermore, it has for its object to provide peculiarly-arrangedplunger or feed devices for setting the sheathing` and for compressingthe concrete as the sheathing` and cutter-carrying means are forcedforward.

A still further object is to provide, in connection with the cutting ordigging mechanism, a carrier mechanism adapted to carry off the looseearth and at the same time bring into position for use the concrete forlining the walls of thel trench or conduit.

Vith other objects in view, which hereinafter will be referred to, theinvention consists in the apparatus hereinafter iirst described indetail, and then pointed out in the appended claims, reference being hadto the accompanying1 drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinalsection of a portion of a subway or sewer with the general arrangementof my improved apparatus shown in an operative position therein. Fig. 2is a horizontal section, partly in plan View, of the parts shown in Fig.l. Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4is an enlarged detail view of one of the hydraulic-jack deviceshereinafter referred to. Fig. 5 is an end view of the cutting mechanism.Fig. 6 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 7, an end view of the same. Fig. Sisan end view of the concrete mixing and compressing mechanism. Fig. 9isaplan view of the same, and Fig. 10 is a 'longitudinal section taken4on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9.v

In the practical application of my invention I employ means whereby thetrench or conduit is dug, whereby the earth as it falls is carried offand the said trench or conduit sheathed as it is dug, for applying andcompressing the concrete to the. side walls of the conduit, and forfeeding the concrete and forcing the sheathing and the cutting devicesforward as the trench is being dug. Such results I attain preferably bythe mechanism shown, which I shall now proceed to describe in detail.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, in which the relationof the cutting, sheathing, and feeding devices are shown diagramatically, A represents an iron-shell cylinder or other form such as thesewer or conduit is intended to have. C represents a second shell of acylindrical or other shaped body held to iit telescopically but looselywithin the cylinder A, which has an offset D, its depth representing thethickness of the concrete E, which forms the permanent internal wall ofthe conduit. In the practical construction thereof these shells areformed in sections, (not showin) so that they may be readily taken apartor put together.

Within the cylinders A and C are disposed a number (preferably four) ofhydraulic jacks B, the piston members o of which are iixedly secured tothe inner shell C, while the cylinders b are secured to the shell A, andsuch jacks are so arranged that pump connections may be readily madetherewith for the introduction of oil, water, or other liquid, eitherbefore or behind the pistons, for the purpose of drivin g forward theshell A and forcing the shell C backward against the concrete in themanner presently fully described.

In the front end of the shell A is secured a pendent framing E', havinga trackway e e, on which is held to travel a carriage F, upon which ismounted the cutting devices and the driving mechanism therefor, suchcutting devices being shown in detail in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, by referenceto which it will be seen the same comprises a worm-gear f, mounted onthe carriage F, which drives a large gearwheel f, which is flxedly heldon a hollow shaft f2, journaled in bearings f3, and provided at itsforward end with a tool-holderf4. Within this hollow shaft is fitted asecond shaft f5, upon one end of which is secured a IOO pinion f6, heldto inesh with a rack portion f7 on an arm fs, which has the cuttingtooland which in turn is held in the tool-holder f4, such shaft f5 having asuitable handwheel f 9, the manipulation of which will serve to set thearm cutting backward or forward to suit the diameter of the shell A. Itwill thus be seen that as the main wheel j" is driven (which is done,preferably, by an electric motor X held on the carriage F) the cutterwill be rotated in the arc desired, it, owing to therack and piniondevices, being capable of a quick adjustment to cut as may be neccssary.

So far as described it will be manifestly clear that, assuming theconduit or subway to have been partially made, as in Figs. 1, 2, and I3,by starting the motor X and moving the cutter up to the earth the samewill sweep in a circle and cut away the earth to a dialncter equal thatof the shell A.

ll indicates an ordinary rope conveyer driven in an ordinary manner,which travels inward at the top of the shells A and C and the finishedconduit or subway portion and extends to the front end of the shell A,from whence it passes vertically downward and then rearward, as shown,such arrangement of the carrier being provided for two purposes-einst,to carry off` the earth rearward to a suitable dischargingpoint, an d,secondly, i

for bringing' inward within the shells the concrete material to a pointover the mixing and concrete discharging devices shown most clearly inFigs. 8, 9, and l0.

By referring now to the aforesaid Figs. S, 9, and l0 it will be seenthat about centrally of the shell A is secured a pendent frame l, uponwhich is mounted a cylinder M, on the top of which is mounted a deeptrough N, which serves as a receptacle into which the concrete materialbrought in by the conveyer or carrier H is to be mixed. v

The cylinder M and the trough N communicate at a throat portion n, overwhich is held a slide V. Upon the frame I is mounted a motor, preferablyelectric, the drive-shaft of which has a spurewheel P, which meshes withtwo cog-wheels R and Q, the' axles of which have worm portions r and q,respectively, which mesh and communicate motion to cog wheels S and T,one of which, S, is iixedly secured upon a shaft s, journaled in themixingchamber, and which has connected therewith a series ofstirring-blades U,which are adapted to sweep between similar bladessecured to the sides of the chamber Y.

The wheel T is heldbetween fixed bearings t t, and has its apertureformed with internal threads t', whereby it willact when rotated as adrive-screw for the screw-shaftUl of a plunger or piston-head O,which tsthe cylinder M.

The cylinder M is open at one end and discharges into a contracted orfunnel-shaped mouth m, to which is connected a feed-pipe J, which may beexible or jointed in such a manner that its discharge end can beconnected with any one of a series of openings K in the offset portion Dof the shell C, which openings have flap members 7a, whereby suchopenings are held closed when not in use with the pipe J.

The reduced or rear extension has near the offset D 'a number ofband-holes L, preferably three, to admit of the introduction of ironbands, which may be built in the concrete at such intervals as may benecessary to strengthen the concrete lining where it is necessary to usethe sewers, subways, or un derground conduit pipes to sustain a highpressure.

When my invention is applied for use in very loose ground, which isdisposed to cave in, a supplemental rim K, of very thin iron or othermaterial, is employed, which is attached to the shell B and shoulderedso as not to increase the diameter thereof, which rim extendsrearwardover the space I and prevents any loose earth falling into suchspace. Then working hard ground, this rim K may be dispensed with.

V'Vhile I have not shown a pump mechanism it is manifest that anysuitably-arranged means maybe provided for forcing the water andwithdrawing the same alternately to operate on the hydraulic jacks inreverse directions.

The complete operation of the apparatus is best explained as followsAssuming the parts to be in the position shown in l and 2, after theearth has been cut away from in front of the shell A a distance shown inFig. l the pump (not shown) is put in motion to force the shell Aforward up close to the end of the conduit, it being understood thatduring this operation the shoulder or offset por- `tion'of the shell Cbears against the concrete lining B. The hydraulic action on the jacksis' then reversed and the shell C drawn forward, so as'to make it enteragain into shell `B and thereby leave a vacant space I ready to befilled by concrete, which is done as the cutters again operate, and thecarrier l-I earries off the loose earth in the following manner:Supposing the material for the concrete `to be falling into thereceptacle N, the motor being started and the wheels S and T being'`thereby rotated, the blades in the receptacle N will thoroughly mix thecement as the plunger in the cylinder M presses forward and forces thepreviouslymixed concrete held therein'out through pipe J, through anyone of the openings K', into the space I. After the plunger hastraversed the length of its `stroke the motor is reversed and the motion1 of the stirring-blades and the plunger are also lreversed. By the timethe plunger reaches `the other end the concrete in the receptacle 1Nwill have' been suitably mixed. The slide V is then drawn out to allowthe mixed concrete to drop into cylinder M. The slide be ling againclosed, further material is allowed lto fall into receptacle N, whilethe plunger E again moves forward, such operation being repeated. lVhileI prefer to employ electric IOO IIO

power to operate the mixer and feeder devices and the cutting mechanism,it is obvious compressed air or rotary engine power may be used in placethereof. After the space l is properly filled with concrete and theshell A held up against the end wall of the conduit the hydraulic poweron the jacks is set to force the shell C rearward to compress the cementwith the offset portion D.

Vhen it is necessary to change the grade or direction of the sewer,conduit, Jac., the

application of power to two of the jacks B would serve the purpose byforcing one side forward and leaving the other stand, thus changing thedirection of the machine. This can also be assisted by cutting away moreearth in thc direction in which it is intended to turn.

The band-holes L may be of any form and number convenient and providedwith coverings, if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

l. As an improvement in means for constructing sewers, conduits and thelike, a pair of telescopic shells, the rear one of which iits within theforward one, and has an annular shoulder adapted to press against thelining of the conduit, and means for forcing the said sectionsindependently forward or simultaneously in opposite directions, as andfor the purposes described.

2. As an improvement in means for constructing sewers, conduits and thelike, the combination with the outer shell, A and the inner shell Chaving an annular offset portion D, and a rear extension adapted to fitthe interior diameter of the finished part of the conduit or sewer, saidportion D having one or more openings, of a concrete mixing anddistributing mechanism, having a feed pipe adapted to have its dischargeend connected with the opening in the said portion D of the shell C, asand for the purposes described.

3. In a means for the purposes described, the combination with thetelescopic shells, the cutting mechanism, and concrete mixing anddistributing devices, of a movable carrier held to travel inward at theupper end of the shells and to dump as it passes inward at ra point overthe concrete mixing devices, and to pass downward at the cutting end ofthe front shell and then rearward at the lower end `of the shells,whereby to carry off the loose earth, as hereinbefore described.

4. ln a means for the purposes described, the combination with theshells A and C, the

jacks E connected therewith, said shell C having a rear portion of adiameter to fit the finished part of the conductor sewer, and an offsetD, and provided with openings L substantially as shown and for thepurposes described.

5.' `In a means for the purposes described, the combination of theshells A and C, the shell O having an offset D and a rear extension of areduced diameter, -and the supplemental annular rim members K allarranged substantially as shown and described.

6. ln a means for constructing sewers and the like, the combination withdevices for feeding the concrete to the side walls of the passage in theearth, of a forward shell telescopically joined, of a diameter equalthat of the passage made by the cutting mechanism, the rear shell havinga rearwardly extending portion of a diameter less than the cut passage,adapted to form a temporary support for the green concrete or bricklining, and

movable forward with the body of the rear shell substantially as shownand described.

7. In a means for constructing sewers, conduits, &c., substantially asdescribed, the combination with the shell A, of a cutting mechanism heldtherein comprising a movable carriage, a cutter arm having a cuttingtool radially adjustable thereon and means for operating such mechanism,substantially as shown and described.

8. As an improvement in a means for the purpose described, a cuttingmechanism comprising a movable carriage, a horizontal rotary shaftjournaled thereon, having a tool arm carrier, means for rotating theshaft, a tool arm held for vertical movement in the said carrier andmechanism for adjusting the said arm in the aforesaid carrier, as setforth.

9. As an improvement in means for the purpose described, the combinationwith the shell sections A and'C, and the carrier H, of a concrete mixingand distributing mechanism comprising a mixing trough, having stirringdevices held therein, a cylinder open at one end, connected with thetrough by a throat portion, a slide valve operating over such throatportion, a feed pipe connected with the open end of the cylinder, areciprocating plunger operating in such cylinder and means for operating the stirring devices and the reciprocatin g plunger, all arrangedsubstantially as shown and described.

HARRY P. MCDONALD. Witnesses:

FRANK HUBER, ALFRED JOSEPH.

IOO

IIO

